What is the Community HR Response Teams (CHRRT) Project?
The Community Harm Reduction Response Teams (CHRRT) project is a three-year pilot community public health initiative (April 2018 to March 2021). It was designed to promote accessible low-threshold harm reduction (HR) services as a response to the high numbers of overdoses and overdose-related deaths in Toronto neighbourhoods. A partnership of ten community organizations, CHRRT is funded by the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) of Health Canada (see sidebar). Who was CHRRT designed to reach? The project aimed to reach people who are marginalized, who use substances, and who have experienced exclusion and oppression as a result of their intersecting identities. These identities may include: people who are homeless; newcomers; older adults; Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals; women; people with chronic physical and mental health conditions; members of the LGBTQ2S community; and sex workers.
CHRRT’s Ten Partners
Larger Community Health Institutions:
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Regent Park Community Health Centre
Large multi-service community agencies:
Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA)
Dixon Hall
Fred Victor
Sistering
Smaller, specialized social justice and community health organizations:
Maggie’s
PASAN
Ve’ahavta
Street Health (lead agency)